Jessica Peisen Tan, originally from China, recently defended her PhD in Ocean Sciences at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmosphere and Earth Sciences. Growing up on the Pacific coast of China, she spent her childhood on the beach collecting seashells, which ignited her passion for marine science. A family trip to Honolulu in 2015, her first time on US soil, inspired her to pursue her American dream as a marine scientist.
At the University of Miami's SUSTAIN (SUrge-STructure-Atmosphere Interaction) Lab, Jessica has collaborated with other scientists to simulate Category 5 hurricanes and beyond. She has hosted SFDI club members at the Lab for an informative visit. With a passion for communication, she has published her research in journals and presented at international conferences, including, most recently, the Physical Oceanography Dissertation Symposium in Hawaii.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Jessica enjoys being a part-time underwater photographer, hitting the gym, and occasionally modeling for fashion brands.